The Cinema Murder | |
---|---|
Directed by | George D. Baker |
Screenplay by | Francis Marion |
Based on | The Cinema Murder: A Novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim |
Starring | Marion Davies Eulalie Jensen Anders Randolf Reginald Barlow |
Cinematography | Harold Rosson |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Famous Players–Lasky Corporation Paramount-Artcraft Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6 reels |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Cinema Murder is a 1919 American silent drama film starring Marion Davies, adapted from the 1917 novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim. [1]
As described in a film magazine, [3] Elizabeth Dalston (Davies), who is training for a future on the stage, witnesses what appears to be a murder. Horrified, she is not quite clear as to the details, but maintains a strict secrecy. On an ocean liner returning to the United States she becomes acquainted with Philip Romilly (Barrie), a playwright, who prepares her for her first stage vehicle. The murderer is also a passenger on the ship, but the trip is made without serious adventure. The play opens and is a success, Elizabeth sharing in the calling. Sylvanus Power (Randolf), whose money made the show possible, lays siege to Elizabeth's affections, but the new star is in love with Philip. Sylvanus then determines to ruin Philip by connecting him to the murder, only to find that the man supposedly killed is alive and well. The film ends with Philip and Elizabeth together.
In her 7th film, Marion Davies starred in this murder mystery, playing an actress who may or may not have witnessed a murder. The Rialto Theater in New York City claimed that this film broke its all-time attendance record with 52,000 tickets sold in one week. [4]
Critics of the time, especially those of Variety , January 14, 1920, mentioned that this particular movie, which opened at the Rialto, was so packed that at 10:00 PM the movie house owner had to turn people away after an entire day when people had been lined up around the block just to try to get in.
Critics felt that the director, George D. Baker, had done a wonderful job with the adaptation, but did mention that Marion Davies would have done better if the script had actually been written to fit her as opposed to her attempt to act the part in a starring role. [5] [6]
Edward Phillips Oppenheim was an English novelist, a prolific writer of best-selling genre fiction, featuring glamorous characters, international intrigue and fast action. Notably easy to read, they were viewed as popular entertainments. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1927.
Quality Street is a 1927 American silent romance film directed by Sidney Franklin and starring Marion Davies, Conrad Nagel and Helen Jerome Eddy. Produced by Cosmopolitan Productions for release through MGM, it was based on the 1901 play of the same name by James M. Barrie. Prints of this film are preserved at the Library of Congress and in the Turner Archive.
The Greatest Question is a 1919 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Based upon a novel by William Hale, the film has a plot involving spiritualism.
Lights of Old Broadway is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Monta Bell, produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film stars Marion Davies in a dual role and Conrad Nagel, and is an adaptation of the play The Merry Wives of Gotham by Laurence Eyre (USA). The film has color sequences using tinting, Technicolor, and the Handschiegl color process.
A Kiss for Cinderella is a 1925 American silent fantasy film taken from the 1916 stage play by James M. Barrie. The film stars Betty Bronson and Tom Moore and was made at Paramount's Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens. The play had starred stage actress Maude Adams in the Bronson role.
In the Palace of the King is a 1923 American silent historical romantic drama film based on the novel of the same name by F. Marion Crawford. Directed by Emmett J. Flynn, the film stars Blanche Sweet, Pauline Starke, and Edmund Lowe.
When Knighthood Was in Flower is a 1922 American silent historical film directed by Robert G. Vignola, based on the novel by Charles Major and play by Paul Kester. The film was produced by William Randolph Hearst for Marion Davies and distributed by Paramount Pictures. This was William Powell's second film. The story was re-filmed by Walt Disney in 1953 as The Sword and the Rose, directed by Ken Annakin.
Her Market Value is a 1925 American silent melodrama film directed by Paul Powell and starring Agnes Ayres. Powell produced the picture and distributed through Producers Distributing Corporation.
Yolanda is a 1924 American silent historical drama film produced by William Randolph Hearst and starring Marion Davies. Robert G. Vignola directed as he had Enchantment (1921) and several other Davies costume films. The film began production as a Metro-Goldwyn film, with the company becoming Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in May 1924.
The Love Flower is a 1920 American silent drama film produced by D. W. Griffith and released through the then nascent United Artist company of which Griffith was a founding partner.
The Bride's Play is a 1922 American silent romance film produced by William Randolph Hearst as a starring vehicle for Marion Davies. It was directed by George Terwilliger and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is an extant film that is preserved at the Library of Congress.
Just Around the Corner is an extant 1921 American silent drama film produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions and distributed through Paramount Pictures. The film is based on a short story, "Superman," by Fannie Hurst and was directed by Frances Marion, a prolific Hollywood scenarist.
Beauty's Worth is a 1922 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Robert G. Vignola, starring Marion Davies as an unsophisticated Quaker who ventures to a seaside resort, meets a Bohemian artist, and falls in love.
Daughter of Destiny is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by George Irving, produced by and starring Olga Petrova, and distributed by Metro Pictures.
Buried Treasure is a 1921 American silent adventure film directed by George D. Baker and written by George D. Baker and F. Britten Austin. The film stars Marion Davies, Norman Kerry, Anders Randolf, Edith Shayne, Earl Schenck, John Charles, and Thomas Findley. The film was released on April 10, 1921, by Paramount Pictures.
The Tong Man is a 1919 American thriller film directed by William Worthington and produced by Haworth Pictures Corporation.
Cecilia of the Pink Roses is a lost 1918 American silent drama film directed by Julius Steger and starring and produced by Marion Davies in her second feature film. It was distributed by Select Pictures. It was based on the novel by Katherine Haviland Taylor.
The Woman Hater is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by James Flood and starring Helene Chadwick, Clive Brook, and John Harron. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.
The Woman Under Cover is a lost 1919 American silent drama film directed by George Siegmann and starring Fritzi Brunette. It was based on a play by Sada Cowan and produced and distributed by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company.
Alimony is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by James W. Horne and starring Grace Darmond, Warner Baxter, and Ruby Miller. In the United Kingdom it was released under the title When the Crash Came.